10 Best Curling Irons For Curly Hair, A Cosmetologist’s Picks Of 2024
Add definition to your curls, tame frizz, and get the best styling experience.
Lindsay Loo is a cosmetologist who has spent 10 years behind the chair in a storied salon in Chelsea. She is a certified Wella Master Color Expert and also has experience backstage at New York Fashion Week. She has a private studio and loves to make her clients feel amazing and welcomed.
Read full bio of Lindsay Loo
Experience: 2 yearsOyendrila holds a master's degree in English Literature from the University Of Calcutta, West Bengal, and is a certified skin care coach. As a beauty and lifestyle writer with two years of experience, she writes about everything that the modern woman needs to know about grooming and self-care.
Read full bio of Oyendrila Kanjilal
Experience: 4 yearsShiboli has a master’s degree in English literature from The English and Foreign Languages University, Hyderabad, and is a certified skincare coach with four years of experience. As a commerce editor, she guides her team members on the best practices to create crisp and authentic content.
Read full bio of Shiboli Chakraborti
Experience: 7 yearsAnjali is an associate editor at StyleCraze. She specializes in hairstyles and hair and skin care and has written over 200 articles in these domains. She has 7 years of experience, and her philosophy about hair and skin care is simple: if you love and care for it, it will be healthy.
Read full bio of Anjali Sayee
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Do your curls look unruly and untamed? Maybe they need just a bit of touch-up by the best curling iron for curly hair! These irons can define different types of curl patterns and increase the volume of your curly hair. An excellent curling iron doesn’t weigh down your hair down and makes them look crafted and stylish instead. A curling iron is a must-have for curly hair as it keeps the strands well-defined and also saves your time with their easy-to-use designs. This article contains a list of the 10 best curling irons which you can put to test and use to groom your hair for a salon-finish look. Keep reading!
In This Article
10 Best Curling Irons For Curly Hair
1. Best Lightweight:Herstyler Teflon Wand
The Teflon Wand by Herstyler is a 9mm tight curling iron that gives you long-lasting and tight cascading curls. The ceramic-coated barrel prevents heat damage and releases negative ions to make the hair shiny. The ½-inch curling wand distributes heat evenly to give you tighter curls in a few minutes. It is safe for all hair types and heats up to 400°F. This curling iron with dual voltage is lightweight and portable and minimizes frizz to give you smooth curls.
Specifications
- Dimensions: 12 x 4 x 2.2 inches
- Weight: 1.1 lbs
Key Features
- Negative ion technology
- Dual voltage
- Clip-less barrel
- 360° swivel cord
- Heats up to 400° F
Pros
- Lightweight
- Portable
- Tapered barrel
Cons
- No temperature control
2. Best User-Friendly Design: NuMe Lustrum 5 in 1 Tourmaline Ceramic Curling Wand Set
The NuMe Lustrum 5-in-1 Tourmaline Ceramic Curling Wand Set is made of tourmaline ceramic barrels with a digital display feature. This curling iron for natural hair has three distinct heat settings, the highest of which is 410 °F. You can achieve bouncy, natural waves and curls with this styling tool, which is designed to give you healthy and long-lasting results. It uses infrared-heat technology to protect the hair follicles, leaving them soft and smooth. It enhances shine and effectively eliminates frizz while maintaining moisture in your tresses. It is undoubtedly one of the best curling irons with interchangeable barrels available on the market. Several reviewers on Amazon have lauded this product for its versatility.
Specifications
- Dimensions: 15 x 4 x 6 inches
- Weight: 2.31 lbs
Key Features
- 5-in-1 interchangeable curling wand
- 360-degrees swivel power cord
- Dual voltage option
- Tourmaline-ceramic barrels
- Automatic shut-off feature
- Infrared heat technology
Pros
- Long-lasting results
- Eliminates frizz
- Easy to use
- Travel-friendly
Cons
- Not suitable for thick hair
"This curler comes with multiple barrels that allow me to curl my hair in different ways. These barrels are also very easy to change and set. The swivel cord helps me to use this tool from various angles. I like that it comes with heat-resistant gloves and a travel pouch."
Pro Tip3. Best For Tight Curls:BaByliss PRO MiraCurl Professional Curl Machine
The PRO MiraCurl Professional Curl Machine by BaByliss has a nano titanium curl chamber to give you smooth, glossy, and well-defined curls. It comes with three different heat settings – 450°F, 410°F, and 375°F – and is suitable for all hair types.
Using Energy-Saving Technology, this curling iron with auto shut-off feature is developed for preventing accidental burns and saving energy. It also has a sleep mode and a motion sensor. The professional-grade three-direction curl control feature allows you to move it in three directions to create uniform and free-flowing curls. This is a great curling iron for loose waves and curls as well as tight coils for it allows precision curling control. This video takes you through this product’s details and gives you insights about a tester’s experience with it.
Specifications
- Dimensions: 10.5 x 3.25 x 13.6 inches
- Weight: 1 lb
Key Features
- 4 timer settings
- 3-direction control – right, left, alternate
- 3 heat settings
- MaxLife PRO brushless motor
- Motion sensor
Pros
- Instant heat up
- Auto-shutoff
- Sleep mode
Cons
- May pull the hair
"This curling device curls my hair quickly. I like that it features three speed and time settings for efficient customization. The flexible swivel cord allows me to curl my hair from different angles. Its metallic blue body also looks striking."
4. Best For Quick Styling: BIO IONIC Stylewinder Rotating Styling Iron
The BIO IONIC Stylewinder Rotating Styling Iron is an extremely hair-friendly tool! The curling iron with a digital display makes it easy to monitor its settings. Its rotating clamp technology and heat adjustment capacity enable the creation of cascading waves or classic waves with ease. The tool seals in added moisture and locks the cuticles, so the tresses become softer and better conditioned. This curling iron comes with advanced technology that is perfect for quick styling. It is easy to use and supports customized styling, depending on the barrel size. Check this YouTube video to know about a reviewer’s experience of styling their curls using this device.
Specifications
- Dimensions: 12.5 x 0.75 x 0.75 inches
- Weight: 1.6 lbs
Key Features
- Self-rolling barrels
- 440 °F temperature setting
- Dual heaters option
- 9-ft swivel cord
- Digital display settings
- Rotating clamp technology
- Automatic shut-off feature
- Cool-touch tip
Pros
- Quick styling
- Easy to use
- Offers added moisturization
Cons
- None
5. Best Durability: ghd Soft Curl Iron
The ghd Soft Curl Iron has unique Ultra-Zone advanced technology that monitors temperatures and recognizes your hair type and needs. The tool maintains 365ºF styling temperature to minimize hair damage. It comes with a 1.25-inch round ceramic barrel and spring-activated ergonomic lever that creates soft and bouncy curls without triggering frizziness in a few seconds. Specifications
Specifications
- Dimensions: 13.5 x 1.25 x 2.63 inches
- Weight: 0.9 lbs
Key Features
- Ultra-zone technology
- 1.25-inch large barrel
- Spring-activated ergonomic lever
Pros
- Ergonomic design
- Long-lasting
- Durable
- Offers bouncy curls
Cons
- Slightly expensive
"This curling iron is quite effective in forming lasting curls. I like its quick heat-up time and consistent temperature. It also doubles as a straightener, adding versatility. It's a reliable styling tool that is fuss-free and easy to use."
Pro Tip
Why We Think It's Worth Buying
Almost 850 happy users have mentioned the value and quality of this product.
6. Best Quick Performance: Moroccanoil Everlasting Curl Titanium Curling Iron
The Moroccanoil Everlasting Curl Titanium Curling Iron offers shiny, smooth, and long-lasting waves and curls. It comprises an ultra-long titanium curling barrel for quick performance. The tool supports even and controlled heat distribution and delivers results devoid of frizziness. It is recommended to adjust the temperature to accommodate the hair texture and condition. The clamps curl your hair with a single glide and offer the best look. The device has enough room, making it a suitable curling iron for thick hair. The titanium technology provides superior results while reducing thermal exposure on your tresses. Reviews on Amazon have praised the product for offering ultra-shiny and long-lasting curls.
Specifications
- Dimensions: 14.5 x 4.5 x 2.5 inches
- Weight: 2 lbs
Key Features
- 1-inch diameter barrel
- 9-feet swivel cord
- Extra-long titanium barrel
- Safety cool-tip feature
- Titanium technology
Pros
- Long-lasting curls
- Soft-touch grip
- Even heat distribution
- Minimal thermal exposure
Cons
- None
"I like that this tool has a cool tip to prevent accidental burns. The extra long barrel helps me roll my long hair easily around it. Its adjustable temperature settings are also very convenient for me. The curler is easy to grip due to its soft-touch handle."
7. Best Dual Voltage:Conair Double Ceramic 1-Inch Curling Iron
Curl your hair by minimizing the frizz with the Conair Double Ceramic 1-Inch Curling Iron. It is designed with a double ceramic coating that offers even heat distribution, styles your hair quickly, and provides long-lasting curls. The device comes with a cool tip for safe and easy handling, making it a good curling iron for beginners. In addition, the curling iron is equipped with 30 heat settings up to 400℉ to match different hair types and textures. It is available at an affordable price, making it ideal for beginners.
Specifications
- Weight:82 lbs
- Dimensions: 9 x 1.69 x 13.5 inches
Key Features
- Dual voltage
- Consistent heat
- Different heat settings
Pros
- Suitable for all hair types and textures
- Auto-off feature
- Long-lasting curls
Cons
- None
Quick tipWhy We Think It's Worth Buying
The extensive 66,662 rave reviews on Amazon prove why we are vouching for this product.
8. Best For Bouncy Texture: T3 Micro SinglePass Professional Curling Iron
The T3 Micro SinglePass Professional Curling Iron comes with digital single-pass technology and a ceramic barrel embedded within. This curling iron creates long-lasting waves and beautiful curls in just one simple and easy pass. It offers frizz-free, defined curls with a healthy, long-lasting shine. The device delicately handles your hair and makes it bouncier. It enhances your hair’s natural texture while rejuvenating every strand.
Specifications
- Dimensions: 13.25 x 1.6 x 2.5 inches
- Weight: 1.5 lbs
Key Features
- Single-pass technology
- High-quality ceramic barrel
- 5 heat settings
Pros
- Long-lasting
- Eliminates frizz
- Quick-heating
- Offers adequate bounce
Cons
- None
"What I like the most about this curling tool is that it emits minimum heat but curls my hair beautifully. It does not dry out my hair, make it appear dull, or snag or pull my hair. The clamp is not too tight, and the barrel glides smoothly through my hair."
9. Best Heat Protection: Hot Tools Professional Ceramic Curling Wand
The Hot Tools Professional Ceramic Curling Wand is designed to help protect your hair from overheating and minimize hair damage. The nano-sized ceramic particles provide an ultra-smooth surface, allowing your tresses to effortlessly glide across, leaving behind smoother and shinier strands. This device reduces frizziness and offers long-lasting results. The temperature settings can be adjusted up to 450°F. As one of the best curling irons with a swivel cord and an extra-long cool tip, it offers great comfort and protection to your fingers, so styling becomes easy till the end.
Specifications
- Weight: 1.34 lbs
Key Features
- Variable heat settings
- Non-ceramic styling surface
- 1-1/4 inch barrel size
- Extra-long cooling tip
- 8-feet professional swivel cord
Pros
- Lightweight
- Reduces frizz
- Long-lasting results
- Cool tip
Cons
- Not durable
10. Best For Short Hair: Beachwaver B1 Curling Iron
The Beachwaver B1 Curling Iron is the perfect on-the-go tool and is considered the best curling iron for short hair. The heat settings include diverse temperature options making the device supremely easy to use and extremely helpful for hair styling without damaging the tresses. It is available in classy matte black and rose gold colors with a lightweight design and easy grip. The product is great to achieve tousled, voluminous waves with just a press of a button. This hair tool is perfect for both straightening and curling the locks, making it an ideal curling iron for perfect beach waves and other textured hairstyles.
Specifications
- Dimensions: 16.54 x 3.54 x 2.36 inches
- Weight: 1 lbs
Key Features
- Adjustable temperature settings
- Long swivel cord
Pros
- Lightweight
- Adjustable temperature settings
- Ergonomic grip
- Offers voluminous waves
- Easy to use
- Ideal for short hair
- Travel-friendly
Cons
- None
"This curling iron has three heat settings that allow me to adjust its functions according to my hair type. The ceramic barrel locks my hair’s natural moisture and adds shine to it. I like that its barrel rolls in both directions to curl my hair entirely. It is very easy to use."
These are the best curling irons for curly hair that you can buy online. Before buying one, consider the following points.
Things To Consider Before Buying A Curling Iron
- Hair Goals
What are your hair goals? Do you want tight, big, or looser curls, or do you want to define your existing curls? Choose a product that suits your hair goals.
- Hair Texture Or Type
Not all curling irons give equal results on all hair types and textures. If you have coarse and thicker hair, you will need an iron that has high heat settings. On the other hand, you will need an iron with a low heat setting for thinner and finer hair. Also, choose one that is suitable for chemically and color-treated hair.
- Quality
Professional-grade curling irons will give you perfect curls and salon-quality results. They have better features and improved settings. Budget-friendly products may not match the quality of professional-grade irons. Hence, focus on quality.
- Barrel Coating
Look for the barrel coating type. It is better to use ceramic or tourmaline coated wands or barrels as they define the curls with minimal damage to your hair and prevent dust and dirt residue from coating your hair.
- Barrel Size
The curl size depends on the barrel size. If you want to style your hair in loose, beachy waves, a barrel size of 1-2 inches is perfect. A larger barrel will help you achieve loose, wavy curls. Whereas, if you want a curling iron for tight curls, look for a barrel that has a diameter of less than an inch.
Infographic: Tips For Using A Curling Iron On Curly Hair
Curly hair needs extra care and attention to maintain the curl pattern and natural bounce of the locks. Following the wrong curling technique or using the wrong products may ruin your look and even cause hair damage. Therefore, it is essential to understand the right method of using a curling iron to style your spirals and make them hold for longer. Check out the infographic below for some quick tips to maintain and enhance your flawless curls.
Illustration: StyleCraze Design Team
The Bottom Line
Curly hair looks adorable. But they need a little extra care and love to maintain their definition properly. You can easily do so by using some good-quality curling irons. Unlike traditional curling irons, these help to minimize the frizz and turn the hair soft. The Herstyler Teflon Wand prevents heat damage for sleek, defined curls, while the NuMe Lustrum 5 in 1 Tourmaline Ceramic Curling Wand Set can help you achieve multiple styles that last for a long time. The Hot Tools Professional Ceramic Curling Wand has a user-friendly design while also protecting the hair. It would be best to go invest in a curling iron that has adjustable heat settings to style your hair as per its length. In addition, if the curling iron comes with a cooling tip and moisture-lock technology, it is a win-win! However, stay away from the curling irons that can’t prevent scalding. Follow the tutorial of a celebrity hairstylist if you do not know how to use a curling iron the right way to avoid heat damage.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you use a curling iron on naturally curly hair?
Yes. Use a curling iron to enhance the look of your naturally curly hair and achieve voluminous coily hair with professional results at home.
Is a curling wand or iron better for curly hair?
Curling irons have clamps to hold the hair tight and are effective in producing polished, voluminous, and uniform curls. On the other hand, curling wands lack a clamp and produce loose and flat curls. Curling irons are versatile, safer, and more effective.
What type of curling iron is the least damaging for curly hair?
Ceramic and titanium curling irons distribute heat evenly on the hair, thus serving as suitable curling irons for damaged hair. However, titanium gets hot quickly, so use it on thick, coarse, curly hair, and if you have thin hair, opt for ceramic iron as they produce less heat.
How do I keep my curly hair curly all day?
• Opt for a high-quality tool with adjustable heat settings and a smaller barrel size.
• Wash your hair with a lightweight shampoo and nourishing conditioner. Apply a mousse and heat-protectant before using the heat tool.
• Divide the hair into sections. Curl separate sections and pin them with silver clips on the top of the head. Unpin the hair after some time and achieve structured and voluminous curls.
• Add a few spritzes of the hair spray to the curls and brush the hair. Skip-touching your hair repeatedly to retain the curls.
What product should I put in my hair before curling?
Use a mousse and heat protectant on the hair before curling it to protect the strands from heat damage.
Should I brush my curly hair after curling it?
Yes, wait for the curled hair to cool down, then comb the hair to achieve smooth, defined, and set curls. Do not brush your hair immediately after curling to prevent straightening the curls.
Why Trust StyleCraze?
The author of this article, Oyendrila Kanjilal, is a hair care enthusiast whose obsession lies in researching hair care tools. She has browsed through online reviews to curate the perfect list of curling irons for her readers with curly hair. Oyendrila’s well-researched article ensures high-quality products, which are easy to use and will provide you with a salon-quality finish
Read full bio of Lindsay Loo
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